Table of Weights and Measures
The figures of the table are calculated on the basis of a shekel equaling
11.5 grams, a cubit equaling 18 inches and an ephah equaling 22 liters. The
quart referred to is either a dry quart (slightly larger than a liter) or
a liquid quart (slightly smaller than a liter), whichever is applicable.
The ton referred to in the footnotes is the American ton of 2,000 pounds.Since
most readers are more familiar with dry measures being given in weight rather
than capacity (bushel, quart), dry measures have been converted in the footnotes
to approximate weights.
This table is based upon the best available information, but it is not intended
to be mathematically precise; like the measurement equivalents in the footnotes,
it merely gives approximate amounts and distances. Weights and measures differed
somewhat at various times and places in the ancient world. There is uncertainty
particularly about the ephah and the bath; further discoveries may shed more
light on these units of capacity.
|
Biblical
Unit |
Approximate
American Equivlent |
Approximate
Metric Equivalent |
Weights |
talent (60 minas) |
75 pounds |
34 kilograms |
|
mina (50 shekels) |
11/4 pounds |
0.6 kilogram |
|
shekel (2 bekas) |
2/5 ounce |
11.5 grams |
|
pim (2/3 shekel) |
1/3 ounce |
9.5 grams |
|
beka (10 gerahs) |
1/5 ounce |
5.5 grams |
|
gerah |
1/50 ounce |
0.6 gram |
|
|
|
|
Length |
cubit |
18 inches |
0.5 meter |
|
span |
9 inches |
23 centimeters |
|
handbreadth |
3 inches |
8 centimeters |
|
|
|
|
Capacity |
|
|
|
- Dry Measure |
cor [homer] (10 ephahs) |
6 bushels |
220 liters |
|
lethek (5 ephahs) |
3 bushels |
110 liters |
|
ephah (10 omers) |
3/5 bushel |
22 liters |
|
seah (1/3 ephah) |
7 quarts |
7.7 liters |
|
omer (1/10 ephah) |
2 quarts |
2 liters |
|
cab (1/18 ephah) |
1 quart |
1 liter |
|
|
|
|
- Liquid Measure |
bath (1 ephah) |
6 gallons |
22 liters |
|
hin (1/6 bath) |
4 quarts |
4 liters |
|
log (1/72 bath) |
1/3 quart |
0.3 liter |
|
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